Process for the polymerization of trichlorethylene



Patented June 6, 1939 UNITED STATES,

PATENT oar-lee PROCESS FOR THE POLYMERIZATION F TRICHLORETHYLENE MartinMugdan and J osef Wimmer, Munich, Germany, assignors to Consortium fiirElektrochemische Industrie, G. m. b. H., Munich, Bavaria, Germany, acorporation No Drawing. Application December 28, 1936, se

rial No. 1936 I We have found that trichlorethylene is converted intopolymerized hydrocarbons of the formula of C2nHnC13n by heating underpressure to temperatures above 150 0. Above 200 C. the polymerization isaccompanied by a secondary reaction which takes place with the splittingoff of HCl, which increases as the temperature rises. Temperatures atwhich substantial dissociation takes place are therefore to be avoided.Highly satisfactory results are obtained at temperatures of 180 to 210C. Some metals, particularly iron, interfere with the polymerization orpromote dissociation of the polymers. Containers with non-metalsurfaces, such as glass, china, enamel, may be used to advantage.

Example 1 for three hours in a lead coated autoclave, during which 16grams of 1101 gas were split off. 600 grams of unchangedtrichlorethylene were distilled oil? from the product. The rest wasiractionated under reduced pressure of about 12 mm.

3 Claims. (Cl. 260--654) V e 1 kilo of trichlorethylene was heated to200 C.

In Germany January 6,

' mercury. From C. and upwards, 300 grams of a product was passedover-consisting for the greater part of the trichlorethylene polymer.The residue consisted partly of hexaohlorobenzene and trichlorethylenepolymers of higher boil- 6 ing point. 2-

Example 3 12 mm. mercury; At 80? to C. 400 grams of 15 a mixture ofpolymerized trichlorethylene and its dissociation products passed over.The polymers may be used as solvents and as starting materials for theproduction of other carbon compounds. 7

The invention claimed is: 1. Process for polymerizing trichlorethylene,

principally to its dimerous polymer, which comprises heatingtrichlorethylene in the absence of a catalyst undera pressure aboveatmospheric to 25 a temperature above C. and below a temperature atwhich substantial decomposition occurs.

2. Process for polymerizing! trichlorethylene,

principally to its dimerous polymer, which com- 30 prises heatingtrichlorethylene in the absence of a catalyst under a pressure aboveatmospheric to a temperature of 150 to 227 C.

3. Process for polymerizing trichlorethylene,

principally to its dimerous polymer. which com- 35 prises heatingtrichlorethylene in the abunee of, a catalyst under a pressure aboveatmosphericto a temperature of 180 to 210' 0.

-ma-rmuuamn Joenr

